Mr Howard's comments came in response to child sex allegations against High Court judge Michael Kirby made in parliament by Bill Heffernan.

Mr Whitlam said Justice Kirby was a good friend and he would be proud to be in his company any time. "(He and his male companion) are a very suitable, loving couple," Mr Whitlam said.

Labor's Senate leader John Faulkner accused Senator Heffernan of being "a person who parades his obsessive homophobia as a badge of honour", who waged a "personal vendetta against homosexuals" without understanding the difference between homosexuality and paedophilia.

Tasmanian Gay & Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome described Justice Kirby as a compelling advocate against bigotry, repression and ignorance and said the allegations were cowardly and inspired by homophobia.